Press Releases

The House of Representatives voted today in support of a comprehensive economic recovery package to provide funding for a major infrastructure spending program and tax benefits targeted at individuals and small businesses. Developed with the Obama Administration, this job creating package will rebuild America, give 95 percent of working families an immediate tax cut, and invest quickly in the economy. Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) helped draft key provisions of the bill and voted in favor of the legislation, which passed the House by a vote of 244 to 188.

Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) re-introduced legislation to grant airline passengers basic rights by ensuring they have access to food, water, and other basic necessities, and preventing passengers from being held indefinitely on planes. Last year, Rep. Thompson was the first member of Congress to introduce passenger rights legislation.

The House Committee on Ways and Means voted today in support of a comprehensive economic recovery package to provide tax, health and unemployment relief to families while also encouraging businesses to create new jobs. Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) helped draft and voted in favor of the legislation, which passed the Committee by a vote of 24 to 13. The bill includes several alternative energy tax provisions authored by Congressman Thompson. The legislation will now be combined with other components of the recovery package from other House Committees into H.R.

Today Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) scorned a draft Bush Administration proposal to open up 2 million acres off the coast of Mendocino for oil exploration in 2014. The “Draft Proposed Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program 2010-2015” issued by the Minerals Management Service lays out the proposed five year plan for managing oil and gas leasing in the OCS. Under the Bush Administration, the ban on drilling in the OCS expired last year.

Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) today joined a majority in the House of Representatives in support of bipartisan legislation to provide health care to 11 million children from working families. The Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2) was approved by a vote of 289-139. The bill is very similar to the legislation that President Bush vetoed twice in the 110th Congress.

In a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives, Congressman Thompson said:

As Congress readies an economic stimulus plan, Congressman Thompson (D-CA) today spoke out on the necessity of including funding for the Army Corps of Engineers. The Obama Administration's original proposal included no funding for Army Corps projects.

“The Army Corps of Engineers oversees many crucial projects in our district and across the country,” said Congressman Thompson. “We must invest in infrastructure projects that will immediately create jobs and lay the foundation for future economic growth, and Corps projects clearly fit those criteria.”

Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA), Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), Science and Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.), and Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA), along with 29 of their colleagues, sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) late Friday urging them to ensure that rural areas receive an equitable share of any economic stimulus package.